Good compact 9mm?

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'm finally going to stop bring lazy and get my concealed carry permit, in conjunction with that I'd like to pick up a good compact 9mm. I want 9mm because I'm tired of the expense associated with shooting my 1911, so let's not turn this into a stopping power debate. Criteria are a $500 price, decent capacity, reliable, and fun to shoot. I'm not a big fan of Glocks as they don't fit my hand, so that's out. I do like the several Springfield XDs that I've shot and I know you can't go wrong with a HK or Sig, though I'd need to find a used or refurb model to meet my price range. Any other good options?

[UconnTim97]

I have no first hand experience with one, but I have heard good things about the Ruger LC9. I am very happy with my LCP now, but I would have surely considered the LC9 if it was available last year.

Just throwing that out there as another option to consider.

[krystar]

i say go to local gunshop and browse what's in the used gun selection hehe. even if u don't find one to buy, it's still a good trip

[m21sniper]

I would say that the Kahr PM-9 with CT laserguard is the top subcompact 9mm option in the world today.



Were in in the market, that is definitely what i would buy.

But they're a heck of a lot more than $500.00

A Walther PPS is another top candidate, though a police trade in $550-600 HK P7 is just as small. The HK will be a good deal heavier though, due to it's all steel construction. Weight is not really a big deal when you have a quality holster though, so it's not that big a deal.


Walther PPS with 7rd mag compared to 8rd HK P7.

Here's a pic of my custom P7 in my hand, you can see just how compact they really are, even with a laser and HUD attached:

[stomachmonkey]

Taurus Millenium Pro 3rd gen. (1st gen had issues)

12+1. Single/Double. Heine Straight Eight sights. Visual chambered round indicator.

Weight 18.7 ounces, length: 6⅛ inches, width: 1.268 inches, height: 5.020 inches

$350 ish so cheap enough to lose and not think about it.

Put around 800 rounds of cheap Chinese crap thru it and not one misfeed or stovepipe.

Taurus International Manufacturing Inc

[jpachard]

H&K USP Compact, or a P7 as Sniper suggested. I am very happy with my USP and it's extremely accurate.

[Brando]

I'm very happy with my Ruger SR-9. Comes in 2 models... Full and Compact. I paid $325 out the door for mine in '08.

[gtc]

Check out the S&W M&P Compacts. I have one in .40. It shoots very nicely. I prefer the H&Ks, but this one was too good of a deal to pass up.

[m21sniper]

The Kahr PM9 is a lot smaller than anything else mentioned here. You'd really have to step up to a $1200 Rorbaugh R9 to get a smaller 9mm than the PM9.

You can probably get a used PM9 for about $700ish.

Here's a PM9 next to a tiny Ruger LCP .380 and a J frame .38spl:



Any of the other pistols mentioned in this thread are significantly larger guns.

Here's another good comparison pic:


If you've got the money for one, they're the best available at this time, bar none. Very high quality, extremely compact, polygonal walther match grade barrel, and super lightweight.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Kahr's new CW9 is a lot more affordable than the PM9. Only difference from the PM9 is the rifling, and it makes no difference in performance.

Kahr CM9 9mm Pocket Pistol

I have an MK9 and it's one of my most favorite compacts.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

Kahr's new CW9 is a lot more affordable than the PM9. Only difference from the PM9 is the rifling, and it makes no difference in performance.

Kahr CM9 9mm Pocket Pistol

I have an MK9 and it's one of my most favorite compacts.

CW9 is about .6" longer than the PM9 isn't it? (3.6 vs 3" barrel?)

If the CW9 is the one with the 3.6" barrel, it will carry about 70fps more muzzle velocity than the PM9. The CW9 is a good bit cheaper than the PM9.

I would happily own or carry either pistol.

EDIT: Nope, looks like they're both 3" barrels. Some say polygonal rifling gives more velocity, but others discount this claim.

[porsche4life]

I love my XD... I looked at the PPS, but it was too damned thin, I couldn't grip it right at all.
Come down and you can shoot my XD all you want. I've put several thousand rounds through it, and the only problems I've had have been with handloads.

[targa911S]

FEG P-63. 9x18mm Makarov. Cheap (under $200.00) reliable, and plentiful. Don't look like a squirt gun, much more reliable than the Walther PP which it was cloned from.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by targa911S

FEG P-63. 9x18mm Makarov. Cheap (under $200.00) reliable, and plentiful. Don't look like a squirt gun, much more reliable than the Walther PP which it was cloned from.

Nice, except that he's tired of paying to shoot his 1911. I suspect that 9x18 ammo runs a bit more than 45acp if you can find it.

I can't remember the last time I saw a box of Winchester white box 9x18 at Walmart for $20.

Cool though.

< edit >

I just checked ammunitiontogo.com, you can get FMJ for about the same price as the 9mm, but I think it's Russian ammo or something.

Still, I think I'd probably prefer to stick with 9x19.

[targa911S]

Yeah I guess your right. But you could buy a hell of a lot of ammo for in with the difference in price. We have ammo at the shop so I guess I assumed it was common. I don't buy ammo at "The Walmart".

[ODDJOB UNO]

yep today(and the last 2 months) have been HK USPC robared 9mm days. its in a serpa carbon fiber holster(ooo-lala). 13+1 says i can feek anyone or thang up that decides to hurt me or wifey.


dont even know its there. pick whatever ammo but guntests likes (april 2011 mag) THE SPEER GOLD DOT 124 gr GDHP as their best buy. i also like federal hydra shoks and remington golden sabres. all McNASTYS!


but the best part of an hk.....................is when i come home, i slap my HK UTL light on it..............and its a night time multi-tool.


also in a stress situation only the most seasoned of us shootists, will be able to get all of their .45's on target. and me being me if i have to go ballistic..............i want all freeking 14 feeking them up so bad they dont want any more!



another (2) to look at are the HK P9S 9mm.


and


the WALTHER P-5 compact.


both no longer in production but both idiot proof simple take down and parts still easy to get. both dead nutz accurate. fixed barrels will kick a loose barrel constructions azz all over hell for accuracy.

[masraum]

There are lots of different levels of compactness in 9mm. You may want to try some. I haven't tried the really small ones, but if they are anything like Red-Beard's P3AT (super tiny .380), I wouldn't much care for them. The P3AT is great to carry and conceal, but not much fun to shoot.

I've got an XDM compact in 9mm. It's basically the same as Sydney's (crap, or is it Sidney) XD, except the barrel is a bit longer. It fits my hand great. I'm not sure how you'd like an XD compared to a Glock, the grips are very similarly sized.

My advise, get out and handle as many as you can. If possible, even shoot a few.

THen decide what you like.

[m21sniper]

The PM9 is much smaller than any XD or Glock. It WILL kick hard with hot +P ammo.


PM9 in hand


PM9 next to subcompact Glock 27

The only thing i don't like about the PM9 is the lack of an external hammer or protruding striker. Beyond that, the LCI/manual safety model PM9 is, to me, the ultimate CCW 9mm ever made.

I agree about shooting as many models as you can.

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by ODDJOB UNO

fixed barrels will kick a loose barrel constructions azz all over hell for accuracy.

Interesting argument. I would think the bullet would be long gone by the time the barrel would have any movement.

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by masraum

There are lots of different levels of compactness in 9mm. You may want to try some. I haven't tried the really small ones, but if they are anything like Red-Beard's P3AT (super tiny .380), I wouldn't much care for them. The P3AT is great to carry and conceal, but not much fun to shoot.

I've got an XDM compact in 9mm. It's basically the same as Sydney's (crap, or is it Sidney) XD, except the barrel is a bit longer. It fits my hand great. I'm not sure how you'd like an XD compared to a Glock, the grips are very similarly sized.

My advise, get out and handle as many as you can. If possible, even shoot a few.

THen decide what you like.

This is solid advice.